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Nestled in the heart of London at 1 Kensington High Street, Zaika of Kensington presents a vibrant menu that masterfully blends traditional Indian culinary heritage with modern flair. This esteemed restaurant is celebrated for its inventive takes on classic recipes, delivering a dining experience that’s both authentic and refreshingly contemporary. The menu is thoughtfully crafted to satisfy discerning palates with a variety of starters, mains, desserts, and drinks that showcase rich spices, fresh ingredients, and bold flavors.
Starters
Begin your culinary journey with an array of enticing starters that offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors. The Zaika Salad is a refreshing medley of beetroot, sweet and sour mango, cherry tomatoes, fresh oranges, and creamy feta cheese. For a traditional touch, the Aloo Palak Tikki combines golden potato patties with vibrant spinach. Seafood lovers will relish the Char-grilled Scallops, seasoned with curry leaf, coriander, and a spicy chilli crust, paired with smoked red-pepper chutney. Another crowd-pleaser is the Jhinga Dakshini, tiger prawns enveloped in a gram flour batter infused with ginger and paprika. The Trio of Fish offers a delicate selection of wild sea-bass, organic salmon, and monkfish, while the Trio of Chicken features tandoor grilled chicken supreme with chili garlic and cream-cheese accents.
Mains
Zaika's main courses are a celebration of Indian culinary artistry, featuring an exquisite range of dishes with diverse regional influences and fresh, seasonal ingredients. For vegetarian options, the Tandoori Subzi combines paneer, mushrooms, and broccoli with subtle fennel seeds and honey, while the Kadai Sabzi highlights seasonal vegetables with crushed coriander for an aromatic touch. The Paneer Tikka Masala offers char grilled paneer bathed in a pureed tomato sauce, and the Khumb Kofta features mushroom dumplings in a cooling yoghurt and melon seed sauce.
Seafood enthusiasts can indulge in the Ajwaini Macchi, monkfish marinated with ginger, yoghurt, carom seeds, and turmeric, the Jhinga Shimla-Mirch featuring grilled tiger prawns with red-pepper and ground spices, or the Allepy Fish Curry starring kingfish in a luscious coconut ginger sauce. The Grilled Lobster, served with turmeric, garlic, raw mango, and spiced tomato sauce, is a luxurious choice not to be missed.
For meat lovers, the Tandoori Chicken is a classic dish featuring baby chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, red chili paste, and served with mint chutney. The Seekh Kabab presents ground lamb seasoned with garlic, browned onion, and mint. The Peshawari Champen offers tender lamb chops infused with raw papaya, paprika, fennel, and star anise. Rich and hearty options include the Nihari Gosht, a slow-cooked lamb shank with brown onion and aromatic spices, the Laal Maas with boneless lamb in whole spices and red chilli paste, and the Gosht Dum Biryani, a traditional lamb biryani accompanied by Burani Raita.
Breads and Accompaniments
No Indian meal is complete without an assortment of breads. Choose from Naan, Roti, Pudhina Paratha, or the indulgent Truffle Naan. The Stuffed Naans include Peshawari and Cheese varieties. The Bread Basket offers a generous selection of naan, paratha, and stuffed naan to share. Complement your meal with sides like Cucumber Raita, Punjabi Pyaz, or a choice of Sade Chawal (plain rice) and Zaffrani Pulao (saffron rice).
Desserts
Zaika's dessert menu is a sweet finale filled with indulgent and creative options. The Banana Syllabub combines banana mousse, lime, fresh banana, and white chocolate for a luscious treat. The Dark Chocolate and Cashew Nut Brownie pairs rich dark chocolate with crunchy cashews and a nougat glaze. Spiced Poached Pear offers a comforting blend of cinnamon, star anise, and mint vanilla chantilly cream. For a lighter option, Steamed Dahi features steamed yoghurt with fresh mango and raspberry coulis.
The Dark Chocolate Gourmet dessert tantalizes with silk chocolate, caramelia parfait, candied chocolate, and rich chocolate sauce. For those seeking variety, the Zaika Desert Selection is a decadent sampler featuring dark chocolate cashew nut brownie, coconut mousse, and pistachio kulfi. The Zaika Classic Kulfi with mango and pistachios offers a traditional frozen cream dessert to round off your meal beautifully.
Drinks and Specials
Zaika also boasts an enticing drinks selection that includes fine wines, beer, coffee, and expertly crafted cocktails. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely lunch or a sophisticated dinner, the beverage offerings complement the complex flavors of the cuisine perfectly. While the menu features a variety of specials that rotate seasonally, guests can expect innovative dishes that celebrate the best of Indian culinary tradition with a contemporary twist.
- Zaika Salad - Beetroot, sweet & sour mango, cherry tomatoes, fresh oranges, and feta cheese.
- Tandoori Chicken - Baby chicken marinated in ginger, garlic, red chili paste, served with mint chutney.
- Allepy Fish Curry - Kingfish in a coconut and ginger sauce.
- Banana Syllabub - Banana mousse with lime, fresh banana and white chocolate.
